Dictyopteris divaricata

Thallus flat, with percurrent midrib and veins, bushy, 10-20 cm high, yellowish-brown to olive, sometimes iridescent under water. Branching irregular di-, trichotomous or sometimes pinnate in flabellate manner, forking at acute angles. Blades membranous, broadlylinear, 10-25 mm wide, almost of equal width or gradually decreasing in width towards the base. Apices bifurcate, emarginate or ligulate. The midrib at the basal part tomentose and prominent. In transverse section blade consist of cortical one-layer small densely pigmented cells; medulla consists of 2-4 layers of rectangular, square-roundish cells, to 29×35 mm and 10-14 layers at midrib. Surface hairs in tufts on both sides of the midrib. Sporangial and oogonial sori in oval or elongated groups develop in oblique rows also on both sides of the midrib. Attachment by stupose conical holdfast. Growing on rocks, near low-tide mark and deeper to 10 m, exposed to strong wave action.

Tropics to temperate waters of Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean